Behind the Chair: An Outsider's Look Into the Cosmetology Industry

When you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror at all of the things that make you, you... what do you look at? Maybe it's your nails, or outfit, accessories, or even your jewelry. No matter what it is, you finish looking at all of those things, you do a hair flip and walk away from your mirror. Now, let's rewind and look at the last thing you did, THE HAIR FLIP. You may not even realize it, but the hair you rock every day is most definitely something that makes you, you. Now what about the people behind that hair flip, that's right... The Cosmo crew.  

If you were to ask to google “what is a cosmetologist?” It would say “Cosmetologists are trained and licensed to perform cosmetic treatments to the hair, skin and nails. This can include cutting, coloring and chemically treating hair, hair removal, nail and skin care, skin and hair analysis, wellness and spa treatments, fashion trends, plus a variety of different makeup specialties. (Douglas J Institute)” https://douglasj.edu/what-is-a-cosmetologist/ If you were to ask me that same question, I would say they are shear wielding superheroes with the main superpower of making people feel amazing and providing people with the biggest smiles, with the kryptonite of standing and eating at mega speeds in between

clients.  

Many cosmetologists have gone to trade or vocational schools. So, the question at hand is does this make them blue collar workers? In recent year hair stylists have coined the term “pink collar” to describe their industry. This is because cosmetology lives in the space between art and trade. A hair stylist or barber will look at hair and see a canvas with unlimited possibilities, but that canvas comes with rules. There is so much science that goes into hair that many people don't even see, and with that science comes the rules and cause and effect. Most people only see the finished look, not the calculations behind it. But trust me, there’s far more science in this industry than anyone gives it credit, and those beautiful minds behind your perfect hair are like mad chemists. 

Another thing that flies under the radar within this industry is the mental and physical strain on the body. Working in a salon or barber shop will provide you with the most intimate stranger relationships you will ever have. Think about that for a moment, these people are touching someone’s head, standing inches from their face, hearing their secrets, and being trusted with so many people’s appearances. A hairstylist or barber can live 15 lives in one day, one second, they can work with a guest that just got engaged or is having a baby, then the next hour they can be with a guest that just had a major death in their family. Your stylist takes in all of that information in one day and is expected to consume it and keep a smile on their face. But through it all, I can assure you one thing... your stylist wouldn't change it for the world because they love being that person, the person that may help you escape for a while, while they make you feel amazing inside and out.  

So, if there is one thing you should take away from this, it is never take your stylist for granted. If your stylist is a hugger, give them a hug, tell them you appreciate them, and especially tell them you LOVE your hair and service... and post it on Insta! 😉. If you are married or close to someone in the industry, listen to them, listen to their stories because so many of those stories will make you laugh until your cheeks hurt, but if they had one of those days at work that just felt too heavy... hold them tight. So, thank you to all the people who are part of that Cosmo Crew, you are the superheroes that the world will forever need, YOU are important! 

This is the team of hairstylists that I work with... they are my personal superheros.